This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the sports world, the future of Premier League promotion hangs in the balance. According to Norwich City's sporting director, Stuart Webber, promotion to the Premier League should be scrapped if the Championship season is not completed.
Webber's comments come as the Premier League presses on with its 'Project Restart' plans to restart the top-flight campaign in June. However, the lower leagues are facing significant challenges, including the prohibitive cost of testing players and staff for the virus.
Reports suggest that the League One and League Two seasons could be called off, leaving the future of the Championship uncertain. Webber's concerns are centered around the prospect of Premier League teams being relegated and replaced by Championship sides who did not finish their seasons.
"What we could not accept is a situation where we play all our games and get relegated, but the Championship can't play, and they automatically promote some teams who haven't finished the season," Webber told Sky Sports.
With Premier League clubs hoping to resume training next week while observing social distancing, the lower leagues remain in a state of flux. An English Football League board meeting is set for Wednesday to discuss how to finish the season, followed by talks between all 24 Championship clubs.
